Adjustable pallet rack construction



Oct. 6, 1964 F. w. RElLLY 3,151,745

ADJUSTABLE PALLET RACK CONSTRUCTION Filed April*4, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOK msnmcu wnum pm ATTOIQIEY Oct. 6, 1964 F. w. REILLY 3,151,745

ADJUSTABLE PALLET RACK CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yw m m A 5 W m w: 1 w m 0: a I4. A 5 2 3 3 3 z N k 1HH.- m n fl 1 1L ATTORNEY United States Patent W 3,151,745 ADJUSTABLE PALLET RACK QONSTRUUTEGN Frederick William Reflly, islington, @ntario, Canada (Dexion, 114 {Zlayson Road, Weston, Ontario, Uanada) Filed Apr. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 270,758 laims priority, application Canada Mar. 5, 1963 23 (Ilairns. 21114S) This invention relates to an adjustable pallet rack construction and in particular to a novel means for removably connecting the horizontal rails to the upright posts in a direct rail-to-post connection without the use of bolts or connectors.

Adjustable storage racks presently known to the art generally include a plurality of end units, each unit comprising front and rear posts in spaced parallel relation and CIOSSIDI11 ers connecting the posts to form a rigid unit and a plurality of rail members each having connecting elements on their ends, the connecting elements being provided with teeth or lugs to engage in slotted holes in the webs or flanges of the posts. One of such structures is shown in E. A. Baker, lr., United States Patent No. 3,044,633 of July 17, 1962. Prior to the present invention posts for adjustable storage racks were generally of channel shaped cross-section the channel being either open or it was partially closed by a second pair of flanges extending towards each other. The web of the channel shape was flat without any indentation or stiffening element. The post was generally punched with equidistantly spaced holes or slots on the outwardly facing web face and/ or on the pair of flanges extending inwardly from the face.

Furthermore, prior to the present invention, rail con necting elements for adjustable storage racks were generally of angular shape in cross-section, the webs of the elements being provided with teeth and/ or lugs for engaging the slotted portions of the post. However such prior connecting elements had a disadvantage that they lack in rigidity and fixity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel adjustable pallet rack which will have a. rail-to-post connection with a degree of fixity between the connecting elements of the rail and post to reduce the bending loads in the rail and so transfer those loads to the post.

A further object is to provide a rail-to-post connection which will reduce rotation of the connection under load and thus reduce deflection at the centre of the rail.

The post structure of the present invention comprises a post of partially closed channel cross-section to form a U-channel having a substantially wide outwardly facing first web and inwardly extending side walls, the outwardly facing web being divided into two similarly sized right and left portions by a medial inwardly extending channel, said right and left portions having a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots, the slots in one half being coplanar with the slots in the other half and a plurality of equi-distantly spaced vertically arranged slots in the medial channel and arranged to be in alignment with the horizontal slots in the right and left portions.

The means for removably connecting horizontal rails to the upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection comprises a rail connecting flanged element Weldable to the rail, said element having a channel-cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of either the right half or the left half portions of the post to embrace one of said portions when in a direct rail-to-post connection, one flange of the element having teeth which are enterable into the slot in the medial channel and arranged to engage wall portions between the slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the one-half portion which it em- Fatented Oct. 6, 1964 braces, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts. The novel feature of this new connecting means is that when the connecting element is in direct rail-to-post connection it provides a stiffening element which increases the rigidity and fixity at the rail-to-post connection.

Referring now to the following disclosure, I have therein described an embodiment of the invention for the purpose of illustrating its construction.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of upright posts embodying the present invention used in association with a plurality of horizontal rails connected to said posts by the connecting flanged element of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a post and horizontal rails on a larger scale than that shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional plan view on the line 33 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the portion of the post and connecting flanged element; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURE 1, the pallet rack construction comprises a pair of upright posts A and B connected together to form a rigid unit by cross-members 10, 11 and 12.

The rigid unit is illustrated as supporting eight horizontal rails 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 which are removably connected to their respective posts by the connecting means of the present invention which will be more particularly described later in this disclosure.

Each of the posts A and B are identical in construction so that it is only necessary that this be done with reference to the upright post A. The post A is made in the shape of a partially closed channel cross-section of substantially U-shape having oppositely disposed legs 21, 22 joined by outwardly facing webs divided into a right portion 23 and left portion 24 by an inwardly depressed medial channel 25. The right and left portions 23, 24 are formed with a plurality of outwardly facing equidistantly spaced and vertically arranged slots 26, 27 respectively. The slots 26, 27 are arranged in parallel rows so that they are sub stantially coplanar. The medial channel 25 is formed with a plurality of slots 28 which are also equidistantly spaced in vertical direction. The bottom edge of all the slots are in substantial horizontal alignment but the slots 28 are slightly longer to permit the teeth of the connecting means to enter the slots when the connecting means are being attached to the post as hereinafter described.

The means for connecting the horizontal rails to the posts will now be described with reference to the post A which is shown as being situated between and supporting the contiguous ends of the rails 13, 14 and 19, 20. This connection will be described with reference to FIG- URES 2, 3, 4 and S in particular. The means for connecting the rails to the posts comprises a right connecting element or bracket 29 welded to the end of the rail 13 and a left connecting element or bracket 30 welded to the end or" the rail 14. The right bracket 29 is substantially J-shaped in cross-section having a flat leg 31 which engages against the leg 22, an outwardly facing web 32 formed with three equidistantly spaced lugs 33, 34, 35 arranged vertically and spaced inwardly from the inner face of the web 32 the thickness of the web 23, the vertical spacing corresponding to the spacing of the slots 26 and the dimensions of the lugs being arranged to permit the lugs to pass through the slots, and a flange 36 arranged to fit into the medial channel 25, the flanges terminating in teeth 37, 33, 39 arranged vertically and equidistantly to spaced and dimensioned to enter slots 28, the teeth being tapered as indicated at 40 so that when the teeth engage the inner face of the material between the slots 28, a jambing or wedging action takes place.

The left bracket is similar to the right bracket 29 but reversed so that it is substantially b-shaped in crosssection and consists of wall 31a, a web 32:: having vertically arranged equidistintly spaced lugs 33a, 34a and 35a similar to and serving the same purpose as the lugs 33, 34, 35 and a flange 36a.similar to flange 36, and having teeth 37a, 38a and 39a similar to the teeth carried by the right bracket.

The drawings illustrate the manner in which the brackets are assembled to the post to connect and support the horizontal rails. It will be seen that, when so connected the bracket tightly embraces the right and left portions of the post respectively to provide a rail-to-post connection having as one of its features the rigidity and fixity herein mentioned.

What I claim as new and desired to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a bracket for removably connecting a horizontal rail to an upright-position, the post comprising channel having a substantially wide outwardly facing first web and inwardly extending side walls, the first web being divided into a right web and a left web by a medial channel-like web depressed inwardly of said webs and being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said medial channel'haw'ng a plurality ofequidistantly spaced vertically arranged slotted portions and a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots in the right and left webs, said slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows one row in the right web and the other row in the left web, the slots of the rows being substantially coplanar.

2. In a bracket for removably connecting a horizontal rail to an upright post, the post being generally of U- shape having inwardly extending side walls and a pair of outwardly facing webs in side-by-side relation and joined together by a medial channel extending longitudinally in the outwardly facing web, said medial channel being depressed inwardly of said web and being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, a plurality of spaced vertically arranged and outwardly facing slots in the medial channel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots in each outwardly facing web, said last named slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows with the slots of one row substantially coplanar with the slots of the other row aligned with the slots of the medial channel.

3. In a bracket according to claim 1, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel to embrace said portion when in a direct rail-to-post connection with one flange of the element having teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and arranged to engage wall portions between the slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageablein the slots of the row in the onehalf of the U-channel, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts.

4. In a bracket according to claim 1, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means compris-. ing a' rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel between continguous parallel walls of the ll-channel to embrace said portion when in direct rail-to-post connection one flange of the element having inclined teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and positioned to engage wall portions between said slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the first outwardly facing web, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and Weight is applied to the rail, wedging takes place between the element and the post.

5. In a bracket according to claim 1, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engaged in the slots of one of said rows in the first out wardly facing web.

6. In an adjustable pallet rack construction, a plurality of end units each comprising upright posts in spaced parallel relation and cross-members connecting said posts to form a rigid unit, each post being a U-channel having a substantially wide outwardly facing first web and inwardly extending side walls, the first web being divided into a right web and a left web by a medial channel-like web depressed inwardly of said webs and being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said medial channel having a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slotted portions and a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots in the right and left webs, said slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows, one row in the right web and the other row in the left web, the slots of the rows being substantially coplanar. 7. In an adjustable pallet rack construction, a plurality of end units each comprising posts in spaced parallel relation and cross-members connecting said posts to form a rigid unit, each post being generally of U-shape having inwardly extending side walls and a pair of outwardly facing webs in side-by-side relation and joined together by a medial channel extending longitudinally in the outwardly facing web, said medial channel being depressed inwardly of said web and being substantially U-shaped in crosssection, a plurality of spaced vertically arranged and outwardly facing slots in the medial channel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots in each outwardly facing web, said slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows with the slots of one row substantially coplanar with the slots of the other row aligned with the slots of the medial channel.

8. In an adjustable pallet rack construction, a plurality of end units each comprising upright posts in spaced parallel relation and cross-members connecting said posts to form a rigid unit, each post being a U-channel having a substantially wide outwardly facing web and inwardly extending side walls, a medial channel-like web extending longitudinally in the outwardly facing web, said medial channel-like web being depressed inwardly of said outwardly facing web and being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said medial channel having a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged rectangular slots in the outwardly facing web on each side of the medial channel, said slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows, one row on each side of the medial channel with the slots of one row substantially coplanar with the slots of the other row. 1 p 9. In an adjustable. pallet rack according to claim 6, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright. posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel Walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of theelement projects into said medial channel, said proectrng flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots 5 in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the onehalf of the U-channel, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts.

10. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 6, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel crosssection corresponding to the cross-Section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel between contiguous parallel Walls of the U-channel to embrace said portion when in direct rail-to-post connection one flange of the element having inclined teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and positioned to engage wall portions between said slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing Web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the first outwardly facing web, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and weight is applied to the rail, wedging takes place between the element and the post.

11. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 6, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engaged in the slots of one of said rows in the first outwardly facing web.

12. In an adjustable pallet rack, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to an upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a substantially flat web and lateral flanges perpendicular thereto to embrace said post therebetween when in a direct rail-to-post connection, one flange of the element having teeth enterable in slots formed in the post and inwardly projecting lugs formed on the web, said lugs being positioned to register with and engage in complemental slots formed in the post, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rail to the upright post.

13. In an adjustable pallet rack, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to an upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a substantially flat Web and lateral flanges perpendicular thereto to embrace the post therebetween when in direct rail-to-post connection, one flange of the element having drafted teeth enterable in slots formed in a medial channel formed in the post, said teeth being positioned to engage wall portions of the channel between the slots, and inwardly projecting lugs formed on the web, said lugs being positioned to register and engage in complemental slots formed in the post, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and weight is applied to the rail, a wedging takes place between the element and the post.

14. In an adjustable pallet rack construction having a plurality of end units each comprising upright posts in spaced parallel relation and cross-members connecting said posts to form a rigid unit, each post being a U-channel having a substantially wide outwardly facing first web and inwardly extending side walls, the first web being divided into a right web and a left web by a medial channel-like Web being depressed inwardly of said webs and being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said medial channel having a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertical 1y arranged slotted portions and a plurality of equidistantly spaced vertically arranged slots in the right and left webs, said slots being arranged in two vertical parallel rows one row in the right web and the other row in the left web, the slots of the rows being substantially coplanar, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to the upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail and having an outwardly facing web, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of one of the webs of the post, a flange on said element projecting into the medial channel formed in the post, said projecting flange having teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, and inwardly projecting lugs formed on the web engageable in the slots of one of said rows in the first of the outwardly facing webs.

15. in a bracket according to claim 2, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel to embrace said portion when in a direct rail-to-post connection with one flange of the element having teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and arranged to engage wall portions between the slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the one-half of the U-channel, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts,

16. In a bracket according to claim 2, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel between contiguous parallel walls of the 'U- channel to embrace said portion when in direct rail-topost connection one flange of the element having inclined teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and positioned to engage wall portions between said slots of the medial channel, th said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the first outwardly facing Web, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and weight is applied to the rail, wedging takes place between the element and the post.

17. In a bracket according to claim 2, means for removably connecting a horizontal rail to the upright post, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel Walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial chanel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engaged in the slots of one of said rows in the first outwardly facing web.

18. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 7, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element Weldable to said rail, said element having a channel crosssection corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the LI-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also hving an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the 7. one-half of the U-channel, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts.

19. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 7, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprisinga rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel to embrace said portion when in direct rail-to-post connection one flange of the element having inclined teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and positioned to engage wall portions between said slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the first outwardly facing web, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and weight is applied to the rail, wedging takes place between the element and the post.

'20. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 7, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engaged in the slots of one of said rows in the first outwardly facing web.

21. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 8, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel crosssection corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly pro- 8 jecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the one half of the U-channel, said teeth and lugs cooperating to connect the horizontal rails to the upright posts.

22. In an adjustable pallet rack according to claim 8, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting flanged element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel crosssection corresponding to the cross-section of one lengthwise half of said U-channel between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel to embrace said portion when in di ect rail-to-post connection one flange of the element having inclined teeth enterable in the slots in the medial channel and positioned to engage Wall portions between said slots of the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing Web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engageable in the slots of the row in the first outwardly facing web, whereby when said element is brought into a direct rail-to-post connection and weight is applied to the rail, wedging takes place between the element and the post.

23. In an adjustable pallet rack accordingto claim 8, means for removably connecting horizontal rails to said upright posts, in a direct rail-to-post connection, said means comprising a rail connecting element weldable to said rail, said element having a channel cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section between contiguous parallel walls of the U-channel whereby one flange of the element projects into said medial channel, said projecting flange having notched teeth engageable in the slots in the medial channel, the said element also having an outwardly facing web portion formed with inwardly projecting lugs engaged in the slots of one of said rows in the first outwardly facing web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,895,619 Frazier July 21, 1959 2,925,920 Skubic Feb. 23, 1960 2,937,767 Butler et al May 24, 1960 2,950,826 Degener Aug. 30, 1960 3,048,245 Shewell Aug. 7, 1962 3,095,975 Cassel et a1. July 2, 1963 

1. IN A BRACKET FOR REMOVABLY CONNECTING A HORIZONTAL RAIL TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE POST COMPRISING CHANNEL HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY WIDE OUTWARDLY FACING FIRST WEB AND INWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE WALLS, THE FIRST WEB BEING DIVIDED INTO A RIGHT WEB AND A LEFT WEB BY A MEDICAL CHANNEL-LIKE WEB DEPRESSED INWARDLY OF SAID WEBS AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED IN CROSS-SECTION, SAID MEDIAL CHANNEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF EQUIDISTANTLY SPACED VERTICALLY ARRANGED SLOTTED PORTIONS AND A PLURALITY OF EQUIDISTANTLY SPACED VERTICALLY ARRANGED SLOTS IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT WEBS, SAID SLOTS BEING ARRANGED IN TWO VERTICAL PARALLEL ROWS ONE ROW IN THE RIGHT WEB AND THE OTHER ROW IN THE LEFT WEB, THE SLOTS OF THE ROWS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR. 